SPCA starts fund for Jonah

by jmaloni

Fri, Jul 5th 2013 12:20 pm

Editor's note: This release was published in Wednesday's Tribune, prior to the news that Jonah had passed.

Sunday morning, the
Niagara County SPCA met officers from Niagara Falls Police Department and
removed three dogs from a residence on 12th Street in Niagara Falls. The dogs,
male and female adults and a male puppy, were rushed to the Niagara County SPCA
for immediate medical attention.

An 8-week-old Labrador
retriever mix puppy was listed as in critical condition. Two of the three dogs
are emaciated. Conditions inside the residence have been described as
deplorable, according to Amy Lewis, shelter director.

Niagara Falls Police are
seeking the whereabouts of the owner.

Anyone interested in
contributing to the care of the rescued dogs, or the puppy who has been dubbed
Jonah, pictured above, right, should visit the SPCA website at niagaraspca.org,
where a special link has been set up for these donations.

Jonah is being closely
monitored and kept on a heating pad. He's getting fluids and is on a special
diet that requires him being fed every couple of hours, Lewis said.

"He should weigh between
10 and 12 pounds; he's 3 pounds," Lewis said of the golden brown colored puppy.
"He's really lethargic; he really doesn't have the energy to do anything."

The adult female dog,
Nellie, shown left, is at least 10 pounds underweight," Lewis added. The male
has a good body weight, but his coat is dull and matted from living in his own
excrement.

Lewis said the dogs at
some point will likely be put up for adoption, but with a court case pending,
plus the current health of the dogs, it may take a while.

Police had received calls
concerning the welfare of the animals, which appeared to have been abandoned at
the residence.

"This is really sad and
there is no excuse for such neglect, especially when there are other avenues
available to owners when they cannot care for their animals. He could have
picked up the phone and contacted our shelter or a local rescue. Most shelters
and rescues are full this time of year, but many will find the room if we are
made aware of the severity of the situation," Lewis said.

Niagara Falls Police
officer and SPCA board member Dave Bower said, "This is a clear case of
neglect. The owner of these dogs failed to provide basic care, and he faces
three counts of animal cruelty."

Meanwhile, the shelter
already is dealing with overcrowding, despite a fee-waived adoption promotion
for both dogs and cats that began June 26 and will continue until Wednesday,
July 10.

Anyone who is witness to
animal cruelty or neglect in Niagara County is urged to call 731-4368, ext.
307. If you have a complaint outside of SPCA investigation hours of 8:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, call your local police department.